As Southern California braces for warmer weather, the National Weather Service San Diego cautions residents of rising temperatures and a brewing Santa Ana wind event. According to NWS San Diego's recent updates, inland areas are forecasted to see temperatures soaring 5 to 15 degrees above average midweek, with coastal areas expected to range from 69 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the inland valleys hitting a warm 73 to 83 degrees. The warming trend hits its peak around Wednesday before a potential cooldown stretches into the weekend.
Contributing to the concerns are the anticipated Santa Ana winds. These offshore gusts, known to exacerbate fire weather conditions, are expected to peak between Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecasted winds for coastal areas could reach 10-20 MPH, while interior regions like the Inland Empire may experience 20-40 MPH blows. "Santa Ana winds will develop Tuesday, peaking Tuesday night and Wednesday morning for Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties," the official forecast discussion by NWS San Diego states. The heightened wind activity and the dry and warm conditions set the stage for elevated fire weather risks.
Moreover, humidity is expected to plunge to 15-20 percent in many areas besides the coastline, with only marginal improvements predicted through Thursday. "With the combination of above normal temperatures, low humidity, and gusty offshore winds, elevated to near critical fire weather conditions will occur Tuesday through Thursday," emphasizes the forecast discussion sourced from NWS San Diego. Warnings suggest periods within Wednesday morning to early afternoon as particularly susceptible to critical fire weather conditions in wind-prone regions.
While no warnings or advisories are currently in place, the marine forecast hints at the possibility of stronger northwesterly winds impacting the outer coastal waters and areas near San Clemente Island. These isolated gusts could attain speeds of 20-25 knots later this evening into early Tuesday morning. As Southern Californians adjust to the unseasonably warm weather, the collective gaze rests on the horizon, with some hopeful ensemble models hinting at a potential for precipitation around Christmas Day.
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